Therapeutic and pharmacological efficacy of plant-derived bioactive compounds in targeting breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) ranks number one among cancers affecting women globally. Serious concerns include delayed diagnosis, poor prognosis, and adverse side effects of conventional treatment, leading to residual morbidity. Therefore, an alternative treatment approach that is safe and effective has become the need of the hour. In this regard, plant-based medicines via a combination of conventional drugs are gaining increasing acceptance worldwide, playing a pivotal role in cancer management as proven by their efficacy evaluation studies. This review aims to fill the knowledge gaps by providing the preclinical evidence of cellular and molecular mechanisms of Indian phytomedicines in targeting varied pathways of breast cancer progression. A comprehensive search was performed on different platforms, followed by screening of relevant studies for review. In this article, the in-depth of various botanical drugs covering their nomenclature, dosage, toxicity, and modus operandi in BC cells have been extensively discussed. Various signaling pathways like Notch signaling, MAPK signaling, apoptosis, Wnt signaling, etc. regulated by herbal medicine treatment in BC are also highlighted to understand the drug mechanism better. This will guide the researchers to plan future strategies and generate more robust integrated evidence of plant-based drugs or botanical formulations for their potential role in the management of BC.

Keywords: Indian herbs; Phytomedicine; anticancer; breast cancer; cancer treatment; integrative oncology.

Figure 1

Role of Withania somnifera and Withaferin A in regulating various pathways or signaling mechanisms in breast cancer (BC) cells. Here, upright green arrows depict induction or upregulation and inverted red arrow depicts reduction or downregulation.

Figure 2

Role of Piper nigrum and Piperine in regulating various pathways or signaling mechanisms in breast cancer (BC) cells. Here, upright green arrows depict induction or upregulation and inverted red arrow depicts reduction or downregulation.

Figure 3

Role of Berberine in regulating various pathways or signaling mechanisms in breast cancer (BC) cells. Here, upright green arrows depict induction or upregulation and inverted red arrow depicts reduction or downregulation.

Figure 4

Varied herbal drugs modulating different pathways regulating the neoplastic activity in breast cancer (BC) cells. Here, upright green arrows depict induction or upregulation and inverted red arrow depicts reduction or downregulation.

Figure 5

The figure depicts the integrative role of Indian phytomedicine and conventional medicine in breast cancer.